Haaka and milk supply confusion

[TBC45678]

I've been using the haaka pump when feeding my newborn (5 weeks) for a few weeks now because I noticed my other boob was gushing milk as I fed on one side and didn't want to waste it - although I'm exclusively breastfeeding at the moment I thought I could build up a stash for when we start to give some bottles.

I seem to get quite a lot of milk this way, between 70-90 ml each time and I thought your spare let down was usually only 10/20 ml. So am I confusing my supply by doing this? I don't do it every time I feed but maybe once or twice a day.

We've been struggling with my fast let down drowning my baby when he's first feeding, causing him to be quite windy. Could the pumping be making it worse?

Sorry if this is a bit of a niche question, but I can't find much info on this online.

Thanks!

From what I've read, if you suction the Hakka on, rather than just holding it under your breast, it stimulates milk production as if a baby is feeding (rather than just catching let down). Not sure if this helps!

My lactation consultant told me not to use the hakka for the first 6 weeks until my supply was established as there's a suction on it that causes it to collect more milk than just what leaks. I still used it though and it didn't do any harm, I was only getting about 40ml per session though.

Yes, the Hakaa does more than just 'catch' milk from the boob you're not feeding from - assuming you're suctioning it on, it's actually stimulating your breast (essentially doing what an electric pump would do) I'm breastfeeding a baby for the third time but this is the first one I've used a Hakaa with and I was really surprised the first time I used it!

If you're only doing it once or twice a day, I don't think it can be doing any harm and I don't see that it would be making your let down any faster.

My best top tip for helping with fast let down would be to hand express tiny bit into a tissue or cloth before you let your baby latch and also to try leaning back to feed so gravity is working in your favour.